 Messages" from Chihiro, Moss, Hanashi, Rinka, and Angela Chung

 Originally a Japanese culture, "cosplay" is now spreading throughout the world. FRIDAY has carefully selected five cosplayers who are drawing attention in Asia.

Summer Comiket 2025: Overseas Cosplayers Celebrate Their Japanese Fandom

 KAT-TUN," which broke up on March 31 this year, announced that they will reunite for a concert. If realized, it will be a "long-cherished wish" for the members and fans. The location will be the outdoor concert that KAT-TUN had longed for, the 5th anniversary ......

5 Years Later, KAT-TUN Takes the Stage Again—Will This Be the Ultimate Comeback?

 Born in Yamagata Prefecture in 1983, Yoko Tunemochi worked for 10 years in the editorial department of a health information magazine, editing monthly magazines and web media before becoming a freelance writer. Currently, she interviews, plans, and writes about doctors and specialists, focusing on healthcare and medical fields.

 Yoko Kemmochi

 Dr. Takeshi Kurihara, a hepatologist, says, "The habits you continue for your health may actually be the cause of a weakened liver. The doctor warns against drinking too much not of alcoholic beverages, but of sugary drinks that are claimed to be good for the body.

Think It’s Healthy? These Common Drinks May Cause Fatty Liver

 Kyodo

 Maki Takubo, the mayor of Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, who has been making headlines for allegedly falsifying her academic credentials, finally appeared before the Article 100 Committee for witness examination. He even made a catchy "stray remark" about diplomas, which is a point of contention. ......

New Controversial Heroine Emerges After Mayor Takubo’s Bizarre Statement

 Shinji Hasuo

 A man was arrested for attempted murder for stabbing his drinking buddy with a knife in a drunken rage. When he noticed the media waiting for him at the time of his arrest, he swore at them and said, "What the hell are you filming? and behaves in a menacing manner.

&#8220;Don’t Take Pictures!&#8221; Intoxicated Man’s Violent Outburst After Stabbing Incident

 Masao Kurihara

 Hiroyuki Komatsu

 Zico All-Star Game Hiroshima Production Committee

 Alcindo, the "legendary striker" who played for Kashima Antlers from the first year of the J-League season, is in Japan!

Former Kashima Antlers Star Alcindo Shares How His Famous Phrase Came to Be

 Shirakami Midori

 In this age of video distribution, used pornography is fetching high prices. It is only natural that used pornographic videos that cannot be re-released due to the bankruptcy of the manufacturer have a scarcity value, but there is another reason for the popularity of used porn among enthusiasts.

Vintage Adult Videos Fetch Premium Prices as Collectors Chase Impossible Today Footage

 Takero Shigeto (2nd to 9th photos)

 A landfill far from people's homes in Tokyo. There are cats living in a harsh environment with no food. We accompanied a group of volunteers engaged in protection activities to find out what is really going on.

Landfill Cats Face Hunger and Parasites—Documenting Their Protection Efforts

 Yusuke Kondo

 The drama "Ai no Gakko" was viewed with some apprehension before it aired. is getting good reviews. In particular, Raoul, who plays the role of the host, has been well-received. However, according to a writer who has interviewed Raoul in the past, his "true" self is the complete opposite.

Raoul’s Perfect Fit as Drama Host Reveals His Surprisingly Opposite Real Personality

 Toshikatsu Tanaka (Nikaido) and Yasuko Sakaguchi (Kazu Laser)

 Kazu Laser of the comedy duo "Maple Chogokin" and actor Fumi Nikaido announced their surprise marriage. What was behind the top-secret relationship that even their office was not informed of until August? ......

The Hidden Side of Fumi Nikaidō &#038; Kazlaser’s Surprise Announcement

 Aika Kanda

 Aika Kanda, freelance announcer, "Celebrating the Opening of the Swimming Pool This Year" (No.92)

 Aika Kanda, who decided to buy her own home because she liked the "balcony," spends two years discovering how to spend each season, and finally arrives at a "big plastic pool" for the summer. However, she almost gets into trouble with her neighbors!

Freelance Announcer Aika Kanda Celebrates the Start of Pool Season

 Shinsuke Sakai

 The "Kamakura Koukoumae Station," known as the sacred land of the hit manga "Slam Dunk," has been flooded with foreign tourists over the past few years, causing a serious toilet problem. Not only defecation on the street, but even urination. We interviewed local residents and the local government.

Foreign Visitors’ Troubling Behavior Mar Popular Slam Dunk Destination

 One year has passed since the death of "Monta," who won the "Recommended Cat Grand Prix" with his unique appearance like a carved wooden bear. His owner, who spent only 4 years and 10 months of his life with him, talked about his memories of Monta and his current feelings.

The Bittersweet Everyday Life of Monta, the Grand Prix-Winning Cat

 AP/Afro

 Nanase Aikawa is known for her hit songs "Yumemiru shojo ja nai wa itai ni" and "Trouble Maker". Her 17-year-old son is participating in the Junon Boy Contest under his real name. ......

17-Year-Old Son of Nanase Aikawa Turns Heads in Junon Boy Contest

 Daisuke Iwasaki (2nd and 3rd photos)

 Yasuko Funamoto (1st photo)

 While the LDP is being called upon to "bring down Ishiba," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (68) says that "public opinion is on my side" and that he does not seem to be bothered by the situation. What is the reason for such a statement?

Amid Party Infighting and Calls to Step Down, Why PM Ishiba Refuses to Resign

 Izumi Nakagawa

 Courtesy of the Deaflympics Steering Committee

 The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics will begin on November 15. There will be 21 events, including track and field, badminton, judo, and karate. How do deaf athletes compete differently from hearing athletes? We asked the Secretary General of the Games Management Committee.

Deaf Athletes at a Disadvantage? The Unexpected Challenges of the Deaflympics

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Classy but orthodox" "In this day and age, a very important factor in designing school uniforms is how they look when worn by a group of people. How attractive do they look when hundreds of people wear them and line up all at once? Classy.

Then vs. Now: How Japanese School Uniforms Went from Wild to Sophisticated

 C2/Yuji Arakawa Takehiko Kohiyama AFLO

 From the return of Shohei Otani after 663 days since the season opener, to his impressive home run, to his innocent expression....

 Shohei Otani and his wife Mamiko attended the annual MLB All-Star "Red Carpet Show. He was the hero of the once-a-year ball game, bathed in flashes of light. Here is a look back at the "best scenes" of Ohtani up to July!

Shohei Ohtani’s Most Unforgettable Moments from Early 2025

 A Chinese student who gave cash to a high school girl and performed indecent acts on her at a hotel was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of child prostitution. The man stated that he did it because it was a good way to study Japanese, and that he frequented Toyoko. ......

Chinese Student’s Troubling Justification for High School Girl Solicitation in Tokyo

 Noriyuki Kanda

 Yoshiko Souishi

 Still at the top of her profession after 32 years, she has 10,000 "students" in Yoshiwara, Kanazien, and other areas throughout the country.

 NHK's historical drama "Belabo - Tsutaju Eika no Yume Banashi" has become the talk of the town. The drama depicts Yoshiwara and the culture of oiran (courtesans) in the Edo period in greater detail than previous dramas. In Fukuhara, Kobe, a colorful town that rivals Yoshiwara, there is a legendary soap operative who is called "sensei" (teacher) by the girls.

Legendary Fukuhara Soapland Star Reveals Her Secrets and Pride: Breaking Bad Habits to Protect the Girls

 Born in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture. After graduating from university, she worked for a publishing company before taking her current position. She is currently reporting and writing mainly about sumo. Her books include "Yokozuna" and "Dorji: The True Face of Yokozuna Asashoryu" (both published by Kodansha), "Interview the Ozeki," "Tsuneishi Terao," and "Sumo: The Great Rikishi of Memories" (both published by Futabasha).

 Hazuki Takeda (nonfiction writer)

 Kei Kato

 On August 3, the Grand Sumo Tournament "Expo '70 Tournament" was held in Osaka. Nonfiction writer Hazuki Takeda interviewed all the famous sumo wrestlers who were the talk of the town!　She also talks to them about their unexpected impressions of the Expo and their "true feelings," which are normally unavailable to the public. Here are their true voices.

“Gundam All the Way!” — Top Sumo Wrestlers Speak at Osaka-Kansai Expo Tournament

 Shigeru Nekota

 The Osaka Expo '70 Kansai has come to the end of its run. Gourmet writer Shigeru Nekota, who has visited the Expo more than 10 times to cover the event, introduces some of the best deals known only to those who went to the event.

Kansai Expo Free Hacks Vol.2 — Insider Secrets from a Gourmet Writer Who’s Been There 10+ Times

 Hatsuki Takeda (Nonfiction writer)

 On August 3, the Grand Sumo Tournament was held in Osaka. Nonfiction writer Hazuki Takeda interviewed all the famous sumo wrestlers who were the talk of the town!　Here are the rikishi's voices, including their unexpected impressions of the Expo and summaries of the Nagoya tournament.

Mitakeumi, Ōhō, and Takayasu Relish the Expo Basho—Even Craving German Sausages!

 Shu Nishihara

 First starring role in the summer drama series "Good Evening, It's the Asayama Family! What did you feel empathy for a role that is completely different from your own?

 What was it like to play a role completely different from your own? Nakamura Anne plays the role of a "snappy wife" in the drama "Good Evening, It's the Asayama Family," which will start airing in July. She looks back on her 10 years of acting and how she has gone from being conscious of "I have to say something" to "now I have more of a "pull" attitude".

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